Shield Spartans: Week 8 Update

Quarterbacks

It was quite the bounce back week for Brian Hoyer. After a week where his receivers dropped multiple passes and the Dolphins destroyed the Texans, Hoyer had a great performance on Sunday. Hoyer set a franchise record as the only Texans quarterback to throw 2 or more touchdowns in 5 straight games. Hoyer now has 13 touchdowns to just 3 interceptions and with the Texans releasing Ryan Mallett this past week it is certainly Hoyer's team the rest of the way.

The Texans, at 3-5, actually sit in 2nd place in the AFC South with a chance to be tied for first in the Indianapolis Colts lose on Monday Night Football. Hoyer has made a great connection with DeAndre Hopkins this season, as they worked together for 8 receptions and another touchdown on Sunday. Hoyer has been one of the few steady parts of the Houston season and it is great to see him recover for a nice week.

Kirk Cousins and the Washington Redskins were on a bye this week.

Running Backs

Le'Veon Bell, who has been playing great since returning from a suspension, likely has played his last play of the 2015 season after tearing his MCL Sunday. There is also fear that he has damaged his ACL after Bell was evaluated Sunday night. Bell will finish the season with 511 yards rushing and three touchdowns in five games and we at The Only Colors wish Bell a healthy recovery and return to action next season.

Jeremy Langford saw an injury in his game with the Chicago Bears, it was an injury to starter Matt Forte in the 3rd quarter that led to Langford taking over the bulk of the work for the Bears. Langford finished with 12 carries for 46 yards but did have a costly drop late in the fourth quarter on a Jay Cutler pass on 3rd down. The drop led to a Bears punt that Minnesota then drove the ball for the game-winning field goal.

Wide Receivers

Keith Mumphrey continued to make contributions on the Houston Texans' special teams. Mumphrey ran a kickoff return back 29 yards and was a part of forcing a fumble by the Titans' Bishop Sankey on a kickoff return. Mumphrey had three punt returns for nine yards and a reception for three yards. Bennie Fowler helped the Denver Broncos get to 7-0 on Sunday Night Football with two catches for 21 yards in a 29-10 win over the Green Bay Packers. Keshawn Martin was once again inactive for the New England Patriots.

Tight Ends

Dion Sims had just one catch for six yards in the Miami Dolphins 36-7 loss to New England on Thursday night. Garrett Celek did not play for the 49ers Sunday as he was out with a concussion.

Offensive Line

Dan France is still on the Bengals practice squad.

Defensive Line

Will Gholston injured his knee on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons but not before registering three tackles on the day. Gholston did not return to the game once he left with the injury and his status for this week is uncertain.

Domata Peko had two tackles for the Bengals as they improved to 7-0 on the season.

Linebackers

Max Bullough had three tackles and four tackle assists as he continues to make the most of his playing time in Houston. Bullough, who started the season on the practice squad, got the start for the Texans at ILB. Taiwan Jones and Marcus Rush are still present on the practice squads of the New York Jets and San Francisco 49ers respectively.

Defensive Secondary

Kurtis Drummond had one tackle with the Texans on Sunday, and was in on the fumble on special teams with Keith Mumphery. Unfortunately, on the play Drummond ended up with a concussion forcing him to leave the game. Darqueze Dennard had no tackles in the Bengals win Sunday and Tony Lippett was made active by the Miami Dolphins but he also ended up with 0 tackles. Trae Waynes has had to be patient waiting for playing time and he did get in for some snaps against the Bears Sunday but also finished with 0 tackles and passes defended. Trenton Robinson and the Washington Redskins were on a bye this week.